8 Secrets to Hydroponic Success

There are many vegetable gardens that use hydroponics. In this article, I will share the secrets to successful hydroponic cultivation.

Plant growth is no longer dependent solely on soil and soil conditions. Hydroponics, which recycles mineral water to grow plants in water, is possible even at home rather than on large-scale farms.

Among the benefits of hydroponics are low water consumption, close control over plant development, and high yields. Hydroponics began decades ago, but has become increasingly popular in horticulture in recent years, and is now being used to grow tomatoes , carrots, and onions.

You can create a hydroponic garden at home with just a few plastic containers, a tree, an oxygen supply, and the necessary water nutrients.

What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is growing plants in recycled water containing a mineral solution rather than in soil or substrate .

Chemical elements used to ensure growth include nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese , and sulfur. Almost any plant can be grown hydroponically, but it is commonly used in horticulture (tomatoes, onions, leeks, lettuce, spinach, strawberries).

In large-scale cultivation complexes, this technology  is used as the main indoor cultivation technique. It is also useful in areas where the soil is not suitable for certain cultivations . The combination of hydroponics and greenhouse technology allows for more crops to be grown than in traditional cultivation.

The craze for hydroponics has taken over land-scarce cities.
Advantages of Hydroponics

Hydroponics has many advantages, whether it is for large complexes or home use, including simplicity, cleanliness, and low cost.

• Ecology: It is more environmentally friendly because it reduces water usage through water recycling .
• Yield: When applied efficiently, results can be similar to or better than field cultivation.
• Cleanliness: A must for hydroponics is that the space for hydroponics must always be clean, disinfected, and pest-free.
• Monitoring: Besides identifying water or nutrient deficiencies, it is easier to control the condition of the plants.
• Adaptability: Grown in a controlled environment, it can adapt to all geographical areas and is independent of climatic conditions.
• Your own food: You can grow your own organic food using hydroponics.

8 Secrets to Hydroponic Success

This method is used in large-scale horticultural farms , but can also be applied on a small scale. Hydroponics can be done at home by following these steps :

1. Water and mineral regulation

Because hydroponics relies on water instead of soil, water treatment is important.

You will be using osmotic water, free of harmful additives like chlorine or lead, and then the fertilizers that are required.

The water should be between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. You keep watching the pH level to make sure it wouldn’t damage your plants in any way.

The correct pH level is 5.8 at first, increasing to 6 during flowering and then to 6.2.

2. Electrical Conductivity (EC) Measurement

EC shows how much electricity water transmits through mineral salts, meaning it tells you how much fertilizer is included .

This is how you decide whether to add or reduce the amount of fertilizer . When you first start planting, a level of 0.8 is best, then after a few weeks, increase to 1, and then to 1.5.

3. Pest prevention

Pests can occur even if the plants do not come into contact with the soil. Also, once pests do appear in hydroponic fields, they are quite difficult to eradicate.

Therefore, it is recommended to spray preventive agents and use fungicides during the growth stage.

4. Maintain oxygen levels

Not only the water, but also the oxygen that moves through the water is important . Installing an air pump like in a fish tank will help the roots grow healthily and prevent the water from stagnating.

5. Growth and management of hydroponic crops

Hydroponics require more care to ensure that the plants grow well compared to soil-based ones. Add silicate to the water to prevent the plants from blooming too much for the plants to hold onto.

Silicates are minerals that favor resistance. In hydroponics, mineral fertilizers are preferred over organic fertilizers because of their liquid density.

6. Use the right tools

In addition to oxygen, minerals and fertilizers, you will need basic tools for hydroponic cultivation: dark containers for roots, plastic plugs, wooden boards,  and a special substrate with clay or coconut fiber.

7. Assembling the structure

First, make holes in the container the size of a plastic stopper to allow water to drain. Then, make holes in a wooden board at 10cm intervals to provide a path for the roots to pass through, and fill the container with the substrate.

There are many classes on hydroponics available these days to help you improve your home gardening skills.

8. Be careful of sunlight

Hydroponics require plenty of natural light, but not direct or continuous . Direct sunlight can affect growth and burn leaves.

Therefore, home hydroponics must ensure that the crops are strategically located so that they receive sufficient light but are not in direct sunlight.

Hydroponics requires care

Although it is an easy task to approach, it requires a considerable amount of time for maintenance and control. Therefore, it is essential to set aside time for hydroponic cultivation.

There are a lot of things to keep in mind, including managing pH, mineral levels, pest control, and plant structure , but the results are well worth it.